How To Find A Disability Support Worker In Australia

This certification is used for all types of home health workers, including disability support workers and home care workers. Many of the courses in this training are general standard training for all types of home healthcare. However, some of the courses provide additional specialised training specific to disability support. A person who takes enough specialised disability courses can hold a specialised certificate, the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability). This qualification is a good indication that the worker has the most important skill for supporting a person who has a disability.

However, a person’s certificates and training don’t give you a full picture. If you are looking for a disability support worker, it’s important to consider their experience as well as their training. Ask for a CV and references, and contact their former employers to

If you work with a provider to manage your plan, they can help you find workers. The CareSide is both a plan manager and a support provider, which means we can manage your plan and hire your support workers. We always match you with workers whose experience and certifications are a good match for your specific needs, so you can be confident your worker has the best skills for your support.

What should I expect from my support workers?
Even though support workers aren’t required to hold any certifications, they are required to follow certain guidelines. The most important guideline for all disability support workers is the NDIS code of conduct, which defines your rights as an NDIS participant receiving disability support and services.

The NDIS code of conduct requires support workers to do the following:

* Act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with relevant laws and conventions;
* Respect the privacy of people with disability;
* Provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner with care and skill;
* Act with integrity, honesty, and transparency;
* Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability;
* Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse; and
* Take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual misconduct.

This code applies to both support workers and providers.

It’s a good idea to ask support workers to get a background screening check. If your NDIS plan is managed by a registered provider, then this screening check is required for all support workers. TheNDIS Worker Screening Checkis recognized nationally throughout Australia. It checks with police and other agencies for a person’s criminal history. Depending on the level of the screening check, an individual can be cleared to work in specific types of roles. For example, a screening check for a personal hygiene worker would be more in-depth than the check for a housecleaner.

Although you’re not required to run the national screening check if you’re self-managing your workers, it’s a good idea for all NDIS participants to run this check. In addition, your state or territory may require credentials such as a certificate or a clearance. If you are self-managing, it’s your responsibility to make sure any worker you hire meets all local screening requirements. If you choose a registered provider to manage your plan, then your provider will make sure that your support workers are qualified by all national and local standards.

How can I search for a disability support worker?
If you are looking for a disability support worker, friends and family are an easy place to start. If you know anyone who is also a participant, or who has used support workers in the past, ask them for recommendations.

However, you may not know other people who use support workers. In that case, the best place to look is in your MyPlace portal. You’ll get access to this portal when you are approved as an NDIS participant, and you’ll use it to track your budget and spending. Inside your portal, you can search forregistered NDIS providersand filter by the types of services and support you’re looking for.

What should I ask potential support workers?